The Joint Medical Store (JMS) has extended its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Community Health Programme to western Uganda, marking its regional rollout with support to Ruharo Mission Hospital’s OURS programme.
The initiative was highlighted during a visit to Ruharo Mission Hospital, where JMS pledged medical supplies and a long-term partnership aimed at strengthening care for vulnerable groups.
The OURS programme (Organised Useful Rehabilitation Service), which has supported vulnerable children since 1995, was selected as a beneficiary due to its long-standing work in caring for children with disabilities.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, JMS Mbarara Branch Manager Geoffrey Tusiime Mugume said the intervention goes beyond supply delivery and reflects a broader commitment to community wellbeing.
“At Joint Medical Store, we believe that access to quality health commodities is only one part of the story. True impact lies in how we connect that supply chain to real lives, real communities, and real needs,” he said.
He added that the organisation’s ESG Social Plan is intended as a long-term commitment to community engagement rather than a short-term initiative.
“That is why our ESG Social Plan is not just a policy document; it is a promise. A promise to listen, to act, and to walk this journey with our communities in a consistent and meaningful way,” Mugume said.
He confirmed that Ruharo OURS received medical supplies valued at shs 25 million as part of a broader national programme.
JMS has pledged Shs500 million over five years to support community health initiatives across Uganda. Of this, Shs125 million has been earmarked for five specialised homes, including Ruharo OURS.
“As the Mbarara Branch, we are taking ownership of this partnership and embedding our ESG efforts within the communities we directly serve,” Mugume said.
He noted that the approach demonstrates that community health interventions are not only driven from central offices but also implemented at branch level to ensure direct impact.
Beyond the donation, JMS Mbarara Branch said it plans to roll out medical outreach camps across districts within its coverage area, aimed at improving access to preventive and primary healthcare services in rural communities.
